Dinner at Eight: Celebrate with Friends and Flowers on Valentine's Day

For this Valentine's Day I decided to embrace the color red for the table, with generous doses of white and silver — and a dash of sparkle!

My daughter suggested friendship as the Valentine theme, so I set the table for Julia and three of her friends who've been together varying amounts of time: Vera, Allison, and Kathy.

Please join me on a Valentine's Tablescape Blog Hop organized by Rita of the wonderfiul Panoply blog. She has gathered eighteen of us to share our ideas for decorating tables that explore all the different aspects of Valentine's Day! Whether you've come from one of my fellow participants or you're a regular visitor, welcome! I've included all the details for the hop at the bottom of this post.

I started each place setting with lovely silverplate platters that are the perfect size for chargers on a dinner table. Over the years I've acquired a dozen or so to use at parties for hors d'oeuvres, tapas, desserts, etc. Although a couple were purchased new, most were found thrifting, often for a song.

On them are creamy white plates with decorative scalloped rims that I find suit many types of tables, such as A Colorful Easter Table in Blue and Turquoise and Celtic Heritage Table Style. On top of them sit translucent glass plates in a sweet heart shape that I found on-line after Valentine's Day last year.

Large chrysanthemums in white are offset by carnations in vibrant red and in white with petals edged in the same crimson shade. Together they make a stunning centerpiece in the vase I talked about in The Thrill of Finding Beautiful Glassware. The vase is cut crystal — the flowers are from the grocery store.

I like to find tableware that goes well with things I already own, whether they are new and modern, or pre-loved and classic. Here I'm using inexpensive red stemware with sleek lines that adds a fun touch to the table and echoes the red crystal candlesticks that you can see in the back of the photo.

I've contrasted the flutes with delicate mid-century cocktail glasses that hold chocolate truffles. I love the way the cocktail glasses are intricately etched! The elegant shape of the cocktail glass adds a note of sophistication, even when filled with candy.

Another fun touch are the pair of square votive candleholders whose sides are carved with hearts that are highlighted in red. I've had the votives for a long time and haven't used them very much lately so it was a delight to get them out once more. Taper candles were placed in candlesticks with a clear curvy base and stem, and a strikingly flared ruby-colored bowl. In this photo you can see the geometric pattern of cuts on the heavy vase more clearly. All the lovely glass and crystal bring holiday sparkle to a table for friends!

Now for the soft touches! I love the lighthearted table runner that was the inspiration for the table design of red and white. It is thin enough to drape and bunch prettily. Pressed white cotton napkins have cutwork embroidery on one of their corners and are held simply with wired ribbons that bring the color from the center to each place setting.

The colors of the flowers are a perfect complement to the other table elements.

The rims of the silver chargers add depth to the plate stacks with their rhythmic design repetition. Each charger is different but they can be viewed as two pairs.

The first pair depict simple continuous design. The charger on the left has a rope edge which complements all styles of plates, while the charger on the right has a border known as a gadroon. Their difference is subtle. A "rope border" features a continuous, spiral pattern that mimics cordage; it is often used for a delicate, thin border effect. (It was serendipitous that I happened to have flatware that also had a rope edging!) A "gadroon border" is composed of tapered, curved sections that alternate between convex and concave shapes; it is typically more sculptural, often appearing as a series of petals or flutes.

The second pair of chargers feature more ornate scrolling edges with organic designs. They go well with these scalloped plates and other more formal china patterns. The platter on the left has the larger, but simpler, design, while the platter on the right has intricate scrolls, florals, and geometric forms that have a longer repeat.

I like how the radial shape of the chrysanthemum petals also contrast with the frilly ones of the carnations.

I added little red enamel heart-shaped place card holders at each place setting. Julia will have the delight of labeling them for each of her friends.

I enjoyed how the table plays off the red and white curtains!

I would like to thank Rita from Panoply and my tablescaping friends for this wonderful Valentine celebration — please click on each title below to explore all their marvelous ideas!